It is disclosed a process for producing a bio-product from a ligno-cellulosic biomass, wherein the ligno-cellulosic biomass, a gas and steam are introduced in a pressurized reactor operated in a continuous manner at conditions to have a vapor head space. In the pressurized reactor, the vapor head space is maintained at a vapor head space temperature and at a pressure which is at least 1 bar greater than a pure steam equilibrium pressure at the vapor head space temperature. The ligno-cellulosic biomass is then refined by rapidly releasing the pressure while discharging the ligno-cellulosic biomass from the pressurized reactor assembly to create a pre-treated ligno-cellulosic biomass, which is then hydrolyzed and converted to the bio-product. Preferably, at least a portion of the gas is air entrapped in the ligno-cellulosic biomass and it is introduced into the pressurized reactor as part of the ligno-cellulosic biomass.In a preferred embodiment, the ligno-cellulosic biomass is subjected to a soaking step and an aeration step prior to being introducedinto the pressurized reactor, without any xylans separation step.
It is disclosed a process to produce a fermentation product from a ligno-cellulosic feedstock hydrolyzate slurry which comprises water, water soluble glucose and xylose and water insoluble pretreated ligno-cellulosic feedstock. The process comprises at least two conversion step. A first conversion medium comprising a first portion of the ligno-cellulosic feedstock hydrolyzate slurry and a yeast capable to ferment glucose and xylose is first created, then the yeast is allowed to convert at least 50% of the glucose and less than 20% of the xylose of the first conversion medium to a first propagated yeast and a first portion of the fermentation product in a first conversion step having a first sugar-to-cells conversion ratio in a range of from 5% to 25%. A second conversion medium comprising at least a portion of the first propagated yeast and a second portion of the ligno-cellulosic feedstock hydrolyzate slurry is then created, then the yeast is allowed to convert at least a portion of the water soluble glucose and xylose in the second conversion medium to at least a second propagated yeast and a second portion of the fermentation product in a second conversion step having a second sugar-to-cells conversion ratio which is less than the first sugar-to-cells conversion ratio. Preferably, the first conversion step comprises at least a first phase which is an aerobic phase and a second phase which is an anaerobic phase.
It is disclosed a process for propagating a yeast capable to ferment glucose and xylose of a lignocellulosic feedstock hydrolyzate, said process comprising propagating the yeast over at least two propagation cycles. The first propagation cycle comprises the steps of: contacting the yeast at a starting yeast density with a first cultivation medium comprising a first portion of the lignocellulosic feedstock hydrolyzate; and allowing the yeast to propagate to create a first populated broth comprising water and a first propagated yeast, wherein at least 50% of the glucose and less than 20% of the xylose in the first cultivation medium are consumed in the first propagation cycle. The second cycle comprises the steps of: separating the first populated broth in at least a first removed portion and a first residual portion, wherein both the first residual portion and the first removed portion comprise some of the first propagated yeast; contacting the first residual portion with a second cultivation medium comprising a second portion of the lignocellulosic feedstock hydrolyzate; and allowing the yeast to propagate to create a second populated broth comprising water and a second propagated yeast, wherein at least 50% of the glucose and less than 20% of the xylose in the second cultivation medium are consumed in the second propagation cycle.
C12P 1/02 - Preparation of compounds or compositions, not provided for in groups , by using microorganisms or enzymesGeneral processes for the preparation of compounds or compositions by using microorganisms or enzymes by using fungi
It is disclosed a combustible article of manufacture comprising a treated lignin composition and a combustible support, wherein the treated lignin composition is attached to at least a portion of an external surface of the combustible support with a force greater than the force of gravity relative to the treated lignin composition. The treated lignin composition comprises solid lignin and has a moisture content in the range of 35% to 80% percent by weight. The combustible support is preferably a hardwood chip, but it may be also softwood chips, coal, coke, and shredded tires. It is also disclosed a fuel composition comprising a plurality of the combustible article.
It is disclosed an apparatus for separating a least one solid from a solids/fluid mixture, said apparatus comprising a separation chamber and a cushion chamber. The separation chamber comprises a top end, a bottom end, at least one wall, and an inlet port for introducing the solids/fluid mixture, said inlet port having an inlet port vector. The cushion chamber comprises at least one boundary wall, and it is adapted to maintain a cushion of the solids/fluid mixture at an intersection of the inlet port vector and the cushion chamber when the separation chamber and the cushion chamber are connected by a communication port at the intersection of the inlet port vector and the at least one wall. The communication port has an area at least a size of an impact area of the solids/fluid mixture on the at least one wall. The communication port may be formed by the erosion of the at least one wall of the separation chamber caused by the solids/fluid mixture at the impact area. It is also disclosed a process for separating a solids/fluid mixture, wherein the solids/fluid mixture is introduced through the inlet port of the separation chamber and contacted with a cushion of a previously introduced solids/fluid mixture, the solids/fluid mixture being allowed to interact with the cushion of the previously introduced solids/fluid mixture. The at least one solid is separated from the fluid by density difference in the separation chamber. Preferably, the solids/fluidmixture is steam treated lignocellulosic biomass which is inserted in the disclosed apparatus at high velocity.
It is disclosed a process for producing a hydrolyzed mixture from a pre-treated ligno-cellulosic slurry comprising a slurry liquid and slurry solids. In the disclosed process, at least a portion of a cellulase from an enzyme cocktail having an initial cellulase activity is adsorbed onto the slurry solids of the pre-treated ligno-cellulosic biomass slurry to create an adsorbed cellulase, wherein the adsorbed cellulase has an adsorbed cellulase activity which is greater than 45% of the initial cellulase activity. The pre-treated ligno-cellulosic slurry with adsorbed enzymes is subjected to enzymatic hydrolysis to produce the hydrolyzed mixture. The enzymatic hydrolysis may comprise more than one hydrolysis step, which may be continuous or batch.
The invention relates to processes of multi-stage hydrolysis where different enzyme compositions are added in at least two stages of hydrolysis. In a first stage, a first enzyme composition of xylanase, a beta-xylosidase and an endoglucanase is added, followed by a latter stage in which a second enzyme composition, a cellulolytic enzyme composition, is added. Also provided are processes for obtaining hydrolysis products and fermentation products using processes of the invention.
The invention relates to processes of closing an observed gap in sugar yield between pure batch hydrolysis and a multi-stage hydrolysis containing a continuous reactor. Enzyme compositions containing varied ratios of cellulolytic composition and a hemicellulolytic composition preconditioning are used in multi-stage hydrolysis processes containing a continuous reactor in order to close the gap. Such enzyme compositions are useful in multi-stage saccharification of a lignocellulosic material, fermentation processes following multi-stage saccharification of a lignocellulosic material and in improving a glucose or xylose yield in multi-stage saccharification of a lignocellulosic material.
It is disclosed a process to transfer a ligno-cellulosic feedstock from a low pressure zone to a high pressure zone. A slurry the ligno-cellulosic feedstock is first provided, which is then subjected to a multi-step liquid removal process comprising draining by gravity at least a portion of the free liquid; removing a first portion of the capillary liquid in a low pressure zone by continuously compressing a stream of the ligno-cellulosic feedstock to reach a moisture content in a first target range; removing a second portion of the capillary liquid by shearing and compressing the ligno-cellulosic stream in a plug forming device, to form a ligno-cellulosic feedstock plug having a moisture content in a second target range at an outlet of the plug forming device connected to the high pressure zone. In the removal of the first portion of the capillary liquid, at least one first compression device continuously compresses the stream of the drained ligno-cellulosic feedstock to a first control pressure, while conveying the stream of the drained ligno-cellulosic feedstock in a flow direction of a belt filter press.
It is disclosed a process to transfer a ligno-cellulosic feedstock from a low pressure zone to a high pressure zone. A slurry the ligno-cellulosic feedstock is first provided, which is then subjected to a multi-step liquid removal process comprising draining by gravity at least a portion of the free liquid; removing a first portion of the capillary liquid in a low pressure zone by continuously compressing a stream of the ligno-cellulosic feedstock to reach a moisture content in a first target range; removing a second portion of the capillary liquid by shearing and compressing the ligno-cellulosic stream in a plug forming device, to form a ligno-cellulosic feedstock plug having a moisture content in a second target range at an outlet of the plug forming device connected to the high pressure zone. In the removal of the first portion of the capillary liquid, at least one first compression device continuously compresses the stream of the drained ligno-cellulosic feedstock to a first control pressure, while conveying the stream of the drained ligno-cellulosic feedstock in a flow direction of a belt filter press.
It is disclosed a process to transfer a ligno-cellulosic feedstock from a low pressure zone to a high pressure zone. A slurry the ligno-cellulosic feedstock is first provided, which is then subjected to a multi-step liquid removal process comprising draining by gravity at least a portion of the free liquid; removing a first portion of the capillary liquid in a low pressure zone by continuously compressing a stream of the ligno-cellulosic feedstock to reach a moisture content in a first target range; removing a second portion of the capillary liquid by shearing and compressing the ligno-cellulosic stream in a plug forming device, to form a ligno-cellulosic feedstock plug having a moisture content in a second target range at an outlet of the plug forming device connected to the high pressure zone. In the removal of the first portion of the capillary liquid, at least one first compression device continuously compresses the stream of the drained ligno-cellulosic feedstock to a first control pressure, while conveying the stream of the drained ligno-cellulosic feedstock in a flow direction of a belt filter press.
It is disclosed a process for producing a purified liquid sugar stream from a liquid biomass feed stream derived from a ligno-cellulosic biomass comprising oligomeric sugars and soluble salts. First, the majority of cations of the soluble salts are removedby means of an ion exchange agent, thereby adding H+ ions in an amount sufficient to create an acidic liquid biomass feed stream having a pH which is less than 3. After hydrolysis of the oligomeric sugars to create a liquid sugar stream, the pH is raised by adding a base so that the majority of the cations in the liquid sugar stream come from the added base. The liquid sugar stream is then separated into at least the purified liquid sugar stream and a second stream by means of a cationic resin wherein the cation of the cationic resin is the same of the cation of the added base. The purified liquid sugar stream may be further purified by means of a following refining step.
It is disclosed a process for producing a purified liquid sugar stream from a liquid biomass feed stream comprising oligomeric sugars and soluble salts derived from a ligno-cellulosic biomass. The ligno-cellulosic biomass is first subjected to a hydrothermal treatment to remove a portion of non ligno-cellulosic water soluble compounds, then the presoaked ligno-cellulosic biomass is treated to produce the liquid biomass feed stream, which is hydrolyzed to produce a liquid sugar stream comprising monomeric sugars. The liquid sugar stream is first neutralized by means of adding a base and then separated into the purified liquid sugar stream and a residual stream by means of a cationic resin wherein the cation of the cationic resin is the same of the cation of the added base. The purified liquid sugar stream may be further purified by means of a following refining step.
It is disclosed a bio-based composition derived from a lignin of a ligno-cellulosic biomass comprising at least 50% by weight of aromatic compounds, which can be monomeric aromatic compounds and non-monomeric aromatic compounds. The monomeric compounds have a molecular weight which is less than 210gr/mole. The bio-based composition has an acidity which is less than 80 mg KOH/g, and it is stable over time. Namely, the amount of monomeric aromatic compounds does not decrease by more than 2% of the aromatic compounds by weight after storing the composition for a time between 1 week and 1 year in sealed conditions.
C10G 1/00 - Production of liquid hydrocarbon mixtures from oil shale, oil-sand, or non-melting solid carbonaceous or similar materials, e.g. wood, coal
C10G 3/00 - Production of liquid hydrocarbon mixtures from oxygen-containing organic materials, e.g. fatty oils, fatty acids
15.
DRAINER FOR CONTINUOUSLY DRAINING A LIQUID FROM A SLURRIED THERMALLY TREATED LIGNO-CELLULOSIC BIOMASS STREAM
It is disclosed an inclined drainer for continuously draining a liquid from a slurried thermally treated ligno-cellulosic biomass stream moving in an axial flow direction. Said drainer comprises an external housing elongated in the axial flow direction, an annular screen system coaxial to the drainer axis and comprising two or more coaxially disposed annular screen baskets, and a screw conveyor having a rotation axis coaxial to the drainer axis, having a minimum gap between the screw conveyor and the annular screen system. Each of said annular screen baskets has a plurality of screen slots, and the orientation of the screen slots may be different in different screen baskets. The inclined drainer is particularly useful to drain a liquid from a high consistency slurry of a thermally pretreated straw.
It is disclosed a continuous process for soaking a ligno-cellulosic biomass stream in an extraction solution comprising water and dissolved water soluble species derived from a previously treated ligno-cellulosic biomass. In the process, water insoluble contaminants are separated according to their apparent mass densities. The ligno-cellulosic biomass stream may be further subjected to a second optional soaking step in a counter flow configuration. The disclosed process is useful to remove non-ligno-cellulosic water soluble compounds from the ligno-cellulosic biomass with a low consumption of water.
D21B 1/12 - Fibrous raw materials or their mechanical treatment by dividing raw materials into small particles, e.g. fibres by wet methods by the use of steam
It is disclosed a continuous process for soaking a ligno-cellulosic biomass stream in an extraction solution comprising water and dissolved water soluble species derived from a previously treated ligno-cellulosic biomass, wherein the soaked ligno-cellulosic biomass stream is optionally rinsed with a rinse solution stream to produce a soaking liquid. The electrical conductivity of the extraction solution and/or the soaking liquid are controlled to a value in a suitable target range by regulating one or more dilution streams. The disclosed process is useful to remove non-ligno-cellulosic water soluble compounds from the ligno-cellulosic biomass with a low consumption of water.
D21B 1/12 - Fibrous raw materials or their mechanical treatment by dividing raw materials into small particles, e.g. fibres by wet methods by the use of steam
D21B 1/02 - Pretreatment of the raw materials by physical or chemical means
It is disclosed a continuous process for producing a polyols stream comprising ethylene glycol and propylene glycol, wherein a liquid sugar stream comprising water and at least a monomeric sugar is introduced into a first reaction zone and subjected to a first reaction, which is a hydrogenation reaction of the at least a monomeric sugar, at a first catalytic conditions and in the presence of a first hydrogen gas to produce an hydrogenated mixture comprising at least a sugar alcohol. At least a portion of the hydrogenated mixture and at least a portion of the first hydrogen gas are then transferred to a second reaction zone and subjected to a second reaction, which is a hydrogenolysis reaction of the at least a sugar alcohol, at second catalytic conditions to produce a hydrogenolysis mixture comprising at least a polyol. The second reaction occurs in the presence of a second hydrogen gas, wherein the second hydrogen gas comprises the portion of the first hydrogen gas which has been transferred to the second reaction. The first reaction is conducted at a first reaction pressure which is greater than or equal to the second reaction pressure, and the hydrogen gas is then released at the end of the conversion process of the second reaction zone at a discharge pressure which is less than the pressure of the first reaction. In this way, the transferring of at least a portion of the hydrogenated mixture and at least a portion of the first hydrogen gas from the first reaction zone to the second reaction zone may be done without the use of any pumping system, specifically of a pumping system which is capable of pumping a pressurized liquid/gas mixture.
C07C 29/141 - Preparation of compounds having hydroxy or O-metal groups bound to a carbon atom not belonging to a six-membered aromatic ring by reduction of an oxygen-containing functional group of C=O containing groups, e.g. —COOH of a —CHO group with hydrogen or hydrogen-containing gases
C07C 29/60 - Preparation of compounds having hydroxy or O-metal groups bound to a carbon atom not belonging to a six-membered aromatic ring by elimination of hydroxy groups, e.g. by dehydration
C07C 29/00 - Preparation of compounds having hydroxy or O-metal groups bound to a carbon atom not belonging to a six-membered aromatic ring
19.
INTEGRATED PROCESS FOR PRODUCING CELLULOSIC PULP AND POLYOLS STREAM
It is disclosed an integrated process for producing at least a cellulosic pulp comprising cellulose in the form of fibers and a polyols stream from a ligno-cellulosic feedstock comprising cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin. The process comprises the steps of: a) Treating the ligno-cellulosic feedstock to produce the cellulosic pulp and at least a liquid sugar stream comprising water and monomeric sugars derived from the hemicellulose of the ligno-cellulosic feedstock; b) Catalytically converting the monomeric sugars of the liquid sugar stream to a polyols mixture, comprising primary polyols and secondary polyols; c) Separating at least a portion of the polyols mixture into at least the polyols stream and a residual stream, wherein the polyols stream comprises the majority by weight of the primary polyols and the residual stream comprises the majority by weight of the secondary polyols; d) Recovering a first thermal energy from the residual stream in a first recovery unit.
C07C 29/09 - Preparation of compounds having hydroxy or O-metal groups bound to a carbon atom not belonging to a six-membered aromatic ring by hydrolysis
C12P 7/18 - Preparation of oxygen-containing organic compounds containing a hydroxy group acyclic polyhydric
An method for growing a microbial organism, comprising the cultivation of the microbial organism in the presence of a hydrolyzed composition obtained from a thermally treated ligno-cellulosic biomass. The treatment preferably comprises a fiber shives reduction step. The hydrolyzed composition has very few inhibitor compounds and the microbial organism feed with the hydrolyzed composition grows in a short time with a high duplication factor.
This specification describes a process of producing a monomeric sugar stream ligno- cellulosic biomass without enzymes or acid catalysts. This is accomplished by removing the water soluble C5 sugars from the ligno-cellulosic biomass feedstream, lowering the pH of the C5 solution with little or no addition of an acid, thermally treating the remaining ligno- cellulosic biomass, combining the thermally treated ligno-cellulosic biomass with the low pH C5 solution and then exposing the mixture to an elevated temperature greater than 80 °C for a time sufficient to hydrolyze at least some of the components of the ligno-cellulosic biomass. Preferably, the thermally treated ligno-cellulosic biomass is subjected to a fiber shives reduction step to reduce the amount of long fiber shives.
A process for producing polyols from a low viscosity slurry comprising a thermally treated ligno-cellulosic biomass which has been subjected to a fiber shives reduction step is provided. Specifically, a continuous process for catalyzing the formation of polyol products, such as ethylene glycol and propylene glycol, from the low viscosity slurry is provided.
It is disclosed a process forincreasing the enzymatic accessibility of a thermally treated ligno- cellulosic biomass feedstock which has been thermally treated at a severity factor. The process comprises a step of fiber shives reduction, for reducing the amount of long shives. The thermally treated ligno-cellulosic biomass after fiber shives reduction is characterized by having an increased glucans accessibility and by forming a slurry having a low viscosity.
This specification discloses an operational continuous process to convert lignin as found in ligno-cellulosic biomass before or after converting at least some of the carbohydrates. The process comprises thermally treating the ligno-cellulosic biomass and then subjecting the thermally treated ligno-cellulosic biomass to a step of fiber shives reduction to produce a low viscosity slurry. The continuous process has been demonstrated to create slurry, raise the slurry to ultra high pressures, deoxygenate the lignin in a reactor over a catalyst which not a fixed bed without producing char. The conversion products of the carbohydrates or lignin can be further processed into polyester intermediates for use in polyester preforms and bottles.
It is disclosed a process for producing a low boiling mixture comprising ethylene glycol and propylene glycol from a liquid sugar stream derived from a ligno-cellulosic biomass feedstock. The liquid sugar stream is catalytically converted in the presence of hydrogen to a mixture, which is separated into at least a high boiling mixture, comprising glycerol, and the low boiling mixture. The high boiling mixture is converted to hydrogen by reforming and the reforming hydrogen is used in the catalytical steps. Preferably, all the hydrogen used in the conversion process is generated by aqueous phase reforming of the high boiling polyols mixture.
C01B 3/22 - Production of hydrogen or of gaseous mixtures containing hydrogen by decomposition of gaseous or liquid organic compounds
C07C 29/132 - Preparation of compounds having hydroxy or O-metal groups bound to a carbon atom not belonging to a six-membered aromatic ring by reduction of an oxygen-containing functional group
C07C 29/141 - Preparation of compounds having hydroxy or O-metal groups bound to a carbon atom not belonging to a six-membered aromatic ring by reduction of an oxygen-containing functional group of C=O containing groups, e.g. —COOH of a —CHO group with hydrogen or hydrogen-containing gases
C07C 29/60 - Preparation of compounds having hydroxy or O-metal groups bound to a carbon atom not belonging to a six-membered aromatic ring by elimination of hydroxy groups, e.g. by dehydration
C07C 29/00 - Preparation of compounds having hydroxy or O-metal groups bound to a carbon atom not belonging to a six-membered aromatic ring
It is disclosed a system for feeding a ligno-cellulosic feedstock (50) to a pressurized vessel (200) having a vapor or gas phase of at least one fluid maintaining a vessel pressure greater than or equal to 1 bar. The pressurized vessel comprises a feedstock inlet (230), a feedstock outlet (220), a top and a bottom relative to the force of gravity, wherein the feedstock outlet is closer to the bottom of the pressurized vessel than the feedstock inlet. The feeding system further comprises a plug forming system (100) comprising a plug forming device (105) located in a plug forming chamber (130), the chamber having a first end (110B) and a second end (110A), said first end having a first end operating pressure which is lower than the vessel pressure and said second end being connected to the feedstock inlet and having a second end operating pressure which is greater than the first operating pressure. Said plug forming device is capable of receiving the ligno-cellulosic feedstock at the first end pressure; advancing the ligno-cellulosic feedstock through the plug forming chamber; and forming a plug from the ligno-cellulosic feedstock which prevents the passage of the vapor or gas phase from the pressurized vessel. The feeding system further comprises a sealing head located inside the pressurized vessel, which is movable at a seal opening speed between a sealing position located at the feedstock inlet and a rest position, wherein the sealing head in the sealing position isolates the pressurized vessel from the plug forming chamber. The seal opening speed is fast enough so that the sealing head disengages from the feedstock before or at the moment the sealing head reaches the rest position. The sealing head in the rest position is located at a distance far enough away from the feedstock inlet (sealing head) so that the feedstock entering the pressurized vessel does not contact the sealing head.
The present specification discloses a composition comprising a plurality of diols which is useful for the production of polyester bottles, wherein the diols are mainly obtained from the conversion of a ligno-cellulosic biomass feedstock stream. The composition comprises ethylene glycol and at least one diol selected from the group of diols having a formula of CnHz(OH)2, wherein n is the total number of carbons and is an integer in the range from 3 to 20, z is an integer in the range from 0 to 2n, and C1 and C2 are each attached to one of the OH groups of the formula (e.g. 1,2-Propylene glycol, 1,2-Butanediol and 1,2-Pentanediol) and wherein the composition is substantially free of diols which absorb light at a wavelength of 275nm, so that the percent light transmission of the composition at a wavelength of 275nm is greater than 40%.
This specification discloses a method to convert a lignin biomass feedstream to a converted lignin stream comprising aromatic compounds. The process comprises combining a lignin biomass feedstream comprising lignin, at least one solvent and at least one catalyst in a reaction vessel. Preferably the ratio of moles of catalyst to moles of lignin is in the range of between 4:1 and 15:1. The lignin biomass feedstream is then deoxygenated to a converted lignin stream at a deoxygenation temperature and a deoxygenation pressure for a deoxygenation time.
C10G 1/06 - Production of liquid hydrocarbon mixtures from oil shale, oil-sand, or non-melting solid carbonaceous or similar materials, e.g. wood, coal by destructive hydrogenation
C10G 3/00 - Production of liquid hydrocarbon mixtures from oxygen-containing organic materials, e.g. fatty oils, fatty acids
29.
A MICROBIAL ORGANISM FOR PRODUCING TEREPHTHALATE FROM BIOMASS
There is disclosed a non-naturally occurring microbial organism comprising a first exogenous nucleic acid encoding a first enzyme to produce 1,2-dihydroxy-3,5-cyclohexadiene-1,4-dicarboxylate (DCD) from a dihydroxybenzoate, the first enzyme being either a wild type or a mutant. The non-naturally occurring microbial organism may further comprise a second exogenous nucleic acid encoding a second enzyme to produce terephthalate from 1,2-dihydroxy-3,5-cyclohexadiene-1,4-dicarboxylate. The non-naturally occurring microbial organism may also comprisea third exogenous nucleic acid encoding at least a third enzyme to produce a dihydroxybenzoate from a carbon source, the third enzyme being 3-dehydroshikimate dehydratase.
A process for the conversion of a lignin biomass feedstream to a converted lignin stream said process comprising the steps of: A) combining the lignin biomass feedstream with a catalyst comprising nickel oxide and a liquid solvent in a reaction vessel, B) hydrogenating the lignin biomass feedstream at a hydrogenation temperature and a hydrogenation pressure for a hydrogenation time, wherein the hydrogen is derived from the group consisting of a hydrogen donor and direct hydrogen gas addition, C) deoxygenating the hydrogenated lignin biomass at a deoxygenation temperature and a deoxygenation pressure for a deoxygenation time.
C10G 3/00 - Production of liquid hydrocarbon mixtures from oxygen-containing organic materials, e.g. fatty oils, fatty acids
C10G 45/02 - Refining of hydrocarbon oils using hydrogen or hydrogen-generating compounds to eliminate hetero atoms without changing the skeleton of the hydrocarbon involved and without cracking into lower boiling hydrocarbonsHydrofinishing
C07C 37/56 - Preparation of compounds having hydroxy or O-metal groups bound to a carbon atom of a six-membered aromatic ring by reactions decreasing the number of carbon atoms by replacing a carboxyl or aldehyde group by a hydroxy group
C10G 45/04 - Refining of hydrocarbon oils using hydrogen or hydrogen-generating compounds to eliminate hetero atoms without changing the skeleton of the hydrocarbon involved and without cracking into lower boiling hydrocarbonsHydrofinishing characterised by the catalyst used
C10G 45/06 - Refining of hydrocarbon oils using hydrogen or hydrogen-generating compounds to eliminate hetero atoms without changing the skeleton of the hydrocarbon involved and without cracking into lower boiling hydrocarbonsHydrofinishing characterised by the catalyst used containing nickel or cobalt metal, or compounds thereof
C10G 45/08 - Refining of hydrocarbon oils using hydrogen or hydrogen-generating compounds to eliminate hetero atoms without changing the skeleton of the hydrocarbon involved and without cracking into lower boiling hydrocarbonsHydrofinishing characterised by the catalyst used containing nickel or cobalt metal, or compounds thereof in combination with chromium, molybdenum, or tungsten metals, or compounds thereof
31.
CONTINUOUS PROCESS FOR CONVERSION OF LIGNIN TO USEFUL COMPOUNDS
A process to convert a converted lignin feedstream to a converted lignin product comprised of aromatic compounds, the process comprising the step of exposing the converted lignin feedstream to at least one catalyst in the presence of a plurality of hydrogen donor molecules at a reaction temperature in the range of 190°C to 350° C for a reaction time of at least 30 minutes, wherein the converted lignin feedstream comprises phenol oil, and at least some of the plurality of hydrogen donor molecules are donated during the exposure of the converted lignin feedstream and the plurality of hydrogen donor molecules to the at least one catalyst at the reaction temperature during the reaction time.
C10G 3/00 - Production of liquid hydrocarbon mixtures from oxygen-containing organic materials, e.g. fatty oils, fatty acids
C07C 37/54 - Preparation of compounds having hydroxy or O-metal groups bound to a carbon atom of a six-membered aromatic ring by reactions decreasing the number of carbon atoms by splitting polyaromatic compounds, e.g. polyphenolalkanes by hydrolysis of lignin or sulfite waste liquor
C08G 63/123 - Polyesters derived from hydroxy carboxylic acids or from polycarboxylic acids and polyhydroxy compounds derived from polycarboxylic acids and polyhydroxy compounds the acids or hydroxy compounds containing carbocyclic rings
It is disclosed a non-naturally occurring microbial organism comprising at least one exogenous nucleic acid encoding an enzyme, or a portion thereof, selected from the group of ammonia lyase. Preferably, the enzyme is PAL3, and the at least one exogenous nucleic acid is obtained from Arabidopsis thaliana. The non-naturally occurring microbial organism has an increased resistance to biochemical stress compared to the starting microbial organism, as induced for instance by oxidative stress or organic acid stress. Preferably, the non-naturally occurring microbial organism is a yeast and it may be used for fermenting a carbon source obtained from a ligno-cellulosic feedstock.
A process produces at least a first enzyme from a host cell, wherein the first enzyme is capable of hydrolyzing a first pre-treated ligno-cellulosic biomass. The process comprises the step of cultivating the host cell to produce at least the first enzyme for a cultivation time, wherein the cultivation of the host cell occurs in a sugar depleted cultivation environment comprising the host cell, water and a solid composition comprising a complex sugar of the solid composition and a lignin of the solid composition. In such a process, the solid composition is obtained from a second pre-treated ligno-cellulosic biomass, comprising a complex sugar of the second pre-treated ligno-cellulosic biomass and a lignin of the second pre-treated ligno-cellulosic biomass; and the ratio of the total amount of the complex sugars of the solid composition to the total amount of the lignin of the solid composition is greater than zero and less than the ratio of the total amount of the complex sugars of the second pre-treated ligno-cellulosic biomass to the total amount of the lignin of the second pre-treated ligno-cellulosic biomass.
This specification discloses a composition of a melt blend comprising a continous polyester phase, a cobalt of manganese compound and a first scavenging compound wherein the first scavenging compound comprises at least one allylic group and at least one polar moiety and at least some of the first scavenging compound or the oligomer or the polymer comprising the first scavenging compound is not present in the continuous polyester phase. The partial insolubility is essential for oxygen scavenging and the solubility is essential for reducing haze. The composition is useful in preforms, container walls, and films for packaging.
A process for introducing a slurry comprised of lignin into a lignin conversion reactor by pressurizing the slurry comprised of lignin using a pump having an inlet valve which can be present in an inlet valve position selected from the group consisting of open, closed and at least partially open, an outlet valve which can be present in an outlet valve position selected from the group consisting of open, closed and at least partially open, and a pump cavity, said pressurizing step comprising : Passing the slurry comprised of lignin through the inlet valve which is in the inlet valve position selected from the group consisting of at least partially open and open into the pump cavity, with said outlet valve in the closed outlet valve position and the pump cavity being at an inlet pump cavity pressure; Changing the inlet valve position to closed; Increasing the pressure of the pump cavity to a discharge pressure; Discharging at least a portion of the slurry comprised of lignin from the pump cavity into the lignin conversion reactor by changing the outlet valve position to a position selected from the group consisting of at least partially open and open and forcing at least a portion of the slurry comprised of lignin through the outlet valve; wherein the inlet valve and the outlet valve both provide for unrestricted and unobstructed flow of the slurry comprised of lignin.
F04B 15/02 - Pumps adapted to handle specific fluids, e.g. by selection of specific materials for pumps or pump parts the fluids being viscous or non-homogeneous
36.
CONTINUOUS PROCESS FOR CONVERSION OF LIGNIN TO USEFUL COMPOUNDS
This specification discloses an operational continuous process to convert lignin as found in ligno-cellulosic biomass before or after converting at least some of the carbohydrates. The continuous process has been demonstrated to create a slurry comprised of lignin, raise the slurry comprised of lignin to ultra-high pressure, deoxygenate the lignin in a lignin conversion reactor over a catalyst which is not a fixed bed without producing char. The conversion products of the carbohydrates or lignin can be further processed into polyester intermediates for use in polyester preforms and bottles.
C07C 37/50 - Preparation of compounds having hydroxy or O-metal groups bound to a carbon atom of a six-membered aromatic ring by reactions decreasing the number of carbon atoms
C08G 63/00 - Macromolecular compounds obtained by reactions forming a carboxylic ester link in the main chain of the macromolecule
37.
PROCESS FOR PREPARING A SLURRY COMPRISED OF LIGNIN
Two processes for preparing a slurry comprised of lignin and a slurry liquid the first process comprising the steps of: a. charging a composition comprised of lignin and at least one slurry liquid at 25 °C to a vessel capable of being subjected to vacuum, b. subjecting the vessel to vacuum for a time sufficient to disperse particles of the composition comprised of lignin to greater than 50% of the theoretical dispersion of the composition comprised of lignin. The second process comprising the steps of: a. imparting high shear forces to the composition comprised of lignin, b. adding a slurry liquid to the composition comprised of lignin.
C07C 37/54 - Preparation of compounds having hydroxy or O-metal groups bound to a carbon atom of a six-membered aromatic ring by reactions decreasing the number of carbon atoms by splitting polyaromatic compounds, e.g. polyphenolalkanes by hydrolysis of lignin or sulfite waste liquor
C08G 63/123 - Polyesters derived from hydroxy carboxylic acids or from polycarboxylic acids and polyhydroxy compounds derived from polycarboxylic acids and polyhydroxy compounds the acids or hydroxy compounds containing carbocyclic rings
C10G 1/00 - Production of liquid hydrocarbon mixtures from oil shale, oil-sand, or non-melting solid carbonaceous or similar materials, e.g. wood, coal
C10G 3/00 - Production of liquid hydrocarbon mixtures from oxygen-containing organic materials, e.g. fatty oils, fatty acids
38.
CONTINUOUS PROCESS FOR CONVERSION OF LIGNIN TO USEFUL COMPOUNDS
A continuous process for the conversion of lignin feedstock comprised of lignin and glucans, said process comprising: Slurry creation of a slurry comprised of lignin from the lignin feedstock, Charging the slurry comprised of lignin into a lignin conversion reactor having a lignin conversion pressure, wherein the pressure of the slurry comprised of lignin is higher than the lignin conversion pressure, Converting the lignin of the slurry comprised of lignin into lignin conversion products by contacting the lignin with hydrogen in the presence of a first catalyst at a lignin conversion temperature, and Removing the lignin conversion products from the lignin conversion reactor.
C07C 37/54 - Preparation of compounds having hydroxy or O-metal groups bound to a carbon atom of a six-membered aromatic ring by reactions decreasing the number of carbon atoms by splitting polyaromatic compounds, e.g. polyphenolalkanes by hydrolysis of lignin or sulfite waste liquor
C08G 63/123 - Polyesters derived from hydroxy carboxylic acids or from polycarboxylic acids and polyhydroxy compounds derived from polycarboxylic acids and polyhydroxy compounds the acids or hydroxy compounds containing carbocyclic rings
C10G 1/00 - Production of liquid hydrocarbon mixtures from oil shale, oil-sand, or non-melting solid carbonaceous or similar materials, e.g. wood, coal
C10G 3/00 - Production of liquid hydrocarbon mixtures from oxygen-containing organic materials, e.g. fatty oils, fatty acids
F04B 15/02 - Pumps adapted to handle specific fluids, e.g. by selection of specific materials for pumps or pump parts the fluids being viscous or non-homogeneous
39.
CONTINUOUS PROCESS FOR CONVERSION OF LIGNIN TO USEFUL COMPOUNDS
A method for separating lignin conversion products from catalyst particles during a continuous catalytic conversion of a lignin feedstock to lignin conversion products comprising the steps of a. conducting the continuous catalytic conversion of the lignin feedstock to the lignin conversion products in the presence of free catalyst particles in a lignin conversion reactor, with the lignin conversion reactor having a liquid phase and a gas phase with a liquid level at the interface between the liquid phase and the gas phase and b. removing the lignin conversion products from the lignin conversion reactor at a lignin conversion products removal velocity at a point in the lignin conversion reactor which is higher relative to gravity than the liquid level of the lignin conversion reactor wherein the lignin conversion products removal velocity is less than a settling velocity of the catalyst particles.
An integrated process for the conversion of a ligno-cellulosic biomass feedstock comprised of lignin and carbohydrates, said process comprising: A. Pretreating the ligno-cellulosic biomass feedstock with treatment water which includes steam explosion to create a pre- treated ligno-cellulosic biomass feedstock, B. Converting at least a portion of the carbohydrates of the pre-treated ligno-cellulosic biomass feedstock into carbohydrate conversion products selected from the group consisting of alcohols, polyols, glucans, gluco-lignins and cellulose, C. Charging the lignin from the ligno-cellulosic biomass feedstock into a lignin conversion reactor having a lignin conversion pressure via a stream comprised of lignin from the ligno-cellulosic biomass feedstock, D. Converting at least a portion of the lignin of the pre-treated ligno-cellulosic biomass feedstock into lignin conversion products by contacting the lignin with hydrogen in the presence of a first catalyst at a lignin conversion temperature,
Continuous process for conversion of lignin to useful compounds This specification discloses a process to convert lignin as found in ligno-cellulosic biomass comprising the steps of : Pretreating the ligno-cellulosic biomass feedstock with treatment water which includes steam explosion to create a pre-treated ligno- cellulosic biomass feedstock, Converting at least a portion of the glucans and xylans to chemicals other than glucose and xylose and their respective glucose and xylose oligomers and polymers to create a ligno-cellulosic biomass stillage comprising lignin, a pre-treatment BOD concentration and a pre- treatment COD concentration, Converting the lignin of the ligno-cellulosic biomass stillage to products other than lignin by exposing the ligno-cellulosic biomass stillage to hydrogen and a first catalyst to produce a liquid phase at 25 °C, Rrecovering a treated water from the liquid phase having a post-treatment BOD concentration and a post treatment COD concentration, both of which are 50% less than the pre-treatment BOD and COD concentration and, using the treated water in at least one of the steps selected from the group consisting of a waste water treatment process and any process step preceding recovering the treated water from the liquid phase, before or after converting at least some of the carbohydrates. The conversion products of the carbohydrates or lignin can be further processed into polyester intermediates for use in polyester preforms and bottles.
C07C 37/50 - Preparation of compounds having hydroxy or O-metal groups bound to a carbon atom of a six-membered aromatic ring by reactions decreasing the number of carbon atoms
C10G 1/06 - Production of liquid hydrocarbon mixtures from oil shale, oil-sand, or non-melting solid carbonaceous or similar materials, e.g. wood, coal by destructive hydrogenation
C10G 3/00 - Production of liquid hydrocarbon mixtures from oxygen-containing organic materials, e.g. fatty oils, fatty acids
42.
AN IMPROVED SUGAR RECOVERY METHOD FROM LIGNO-CELLULOSIC BIOMASS
Disclosed in this specification is a process for the improved hydrolysis of glucans to glucose wherein a portion of the glucose is removed from the process to improve the yield of glucose.
Controlling the xylose ratio of pretreated biomass The composition is produced by a process for the treatment of ligno-cellulosic biomass comprising the steps of: A) Soaking a ligno-cellulosic biomass feedstock in vapor or liquid water or mixture thereof at a first temperature and for a first time corresponding to a first severity factor to create a soaked biomass containing a dry content and a first liquid; B) Separating at least a portion of the first liquid from the soaked biomass to create a first liquid stream and a first solid stream; wherein the first solid stream comprises the soaked biomass; C) Steam exploding the first solid stream at a second temperature for a second time corresponding to a second severity factor to create a steam exploded stream comprising solids and a second liquid; D) Adding at least a fraction of the first liquid and a fraction of the second liquid to create the composition, wherein the sum of first severity factor and second severity factor is in the range between 5000 and 17000; and wherein: I. the ratio between xylooligomers content and the sum of xylose content and xylooligomers content is greater than 0,5; II. the ratio between the sum of xylose content and xylooligomers content and solubilized xylans content is greater than 0,35.
An improved method of conducting the pre-soaking step involving pre-soaking the ligno- cellulosic biomass in a liquid (water) at a temperature in the range of between 100°C to 150°C prior to soaking at higher temperatures. This material can then be soaked and soaked liquid filtered by nano-filtration. When nano-filtration is used, the pre-soak temperature can be in the range of 10°C to 150°C.
Disclosed in this specification is a lignin composition having unique characteristics relative to its characteristics as found in its natural environment. The lignin has been modified so that more lignin decomposes at the lower lignin decomposition temperature than decomposes at the higher lignin decomposition temperature and the lignin composition has a very high surface area relative to naturally occurring lignin compositions.
An improved pre-hydrolysis step involving exposing water insoluble pre-treated ligno- cellulosic biomass to vacuum conditions, with and without enzymes is disclosed. After exposing the water insoluble pre-treated ligno-cellulosic biomass to vacuum conditions, enzymatic hydrolysis is conducted on the pre-treated material. The result is an increased yield of glucose and often xylose after the enzymatic hydrolysis when compared to a composition which has not been exposed to vacuum conditions.
This specification describes a process of producing a monomeric sugar stream, with little or no acid addition, from an oligomeric sugar solution using the intrinsic features of the mildly pre-treated vegetable or ligno-cellulosic biomass, namely the presence of naturally occurring salts. This is accomplished by lowering the pH of the oligomer sugar solution with little or no addition of an acid and then exposing the biomass with the lowered pH to an elevated temperature greater than 80°C for a time sufficient to hydrolyze the components of the biomass.
This specification discloses a complete method to manufacture polyester articles from freshly harvested ligno-cellulosic biomass. The process steps include pretreating the biomass and the converting the lignin to one of several possible organic steams in a one step process by combining the lignin with water, hydrogen, and an elemental metal catalyst such as Raney Nickel at the specificied temperature and pressures to produce very specific products, separating the organics, and then processing the organics into polyester feedstocks and converting those feedstocks to polyester.
C08L 97/00 - Compositions of lignin-containing materials
C10G 1/06 - Production of liquid hydrocarbon mixtures from oil shale, oil-sand, or non-melting solid carbonaceous or similar materials, e.g. wood, coal by destructive hydrogenation
C10G 1/08 - Production of liquid hydrocarbon mixtures from oil shale, oil-sand, or non-melting solid carbonaceous or similar materials, e.g. wood, coal by destructive hydrogenation with moving catalysts
The process for treating a ligno-cellulosic biomass feed stream comprised of solids, C5's, C6's, lignin, and water comprises the steps of: - pretreating the ligno-cellulosic biomass feed stream by contacting the ligno-cellulosic biomass with water in the temperature range of 40 to 210 °C to create a pre-treated ligno- celluosic biomass comprised of a pre -treatment ligno-cellulosic biomass liquid comprised of suspended solids, C5's, C6's, and acetic acid, wherein the ratio of the C6's to C5's is less than 0.8 to 1.0, and a pre-treated ligno-cellulosic biomass solids; - separating a portion of the pre -treatment ligno cellulosic biomass liquid from the pre- treated ligno-cellulosic biomass feed stream; - separating a portion of the suspended solids from the pre -treatment ligno-cellulosic biomass liquid using filters, centrifuge or combination thereof, to create a clarified liquid stream, and - nano filtering a portion of the clarified liquid stream to create a nano-filtered permeate stream comprised of acetic acid and water and a nano-filtered retentate stream comprised of C5's, C6's, acetic acid and water, wherein the ratio of acetic acid to the total amount of C5's, C6's in the clarified liquid stream is greater than the ratio of the acetic acid to the total amount of C5's, C6's in the nano-filtered retentate.
The process is for pretreating a lignocellulosic biomass feedstock and comprises: soaking a lignocellulosic biomass feedstock wherein the soaked biomass is present as a mixture with a free liquid and wherein the free liquid comprises at least one dissolved compound selected from the group consisting of glucose, xylose and respective oligomers thereof, washing the mixture of the soaked biomass and the free liquid, wherein at least a portion of the free liquid containing at least one dissolved compound selected from the group consisting of glucose, xylose and respective oligomers thereof is separated from the soaked biomass to create a soaked washed biomass and at least one free liquid stream, compressing the soaked biomass to create a released liquid, separating the released liquid from the soaked biomass, and keeping at least a portion of the released liquid separate from any free liquid.
D21B 1/02 - Pretreatment of the raw materials by physical or chemical means
D21B 1/12 - Fibrous raw materials or their mechanical treatment by dividing raw materials into small particles, e.g. fibres by wet methods by the use of steam
D21B 1/36 - Explosive disintegration by sudden pressure reduction
D21C 1/06 - Pretreatment of the finely-divided materials before digesting with alkaline reacting compounds
51.
IMPROVED PROCESS FOR RECOVERING SUGARS FROM A PRETREATMENT STREAM OF LIGNOCELLULOSIC BIOMASS
This specification discloses an improved method for conducting the removal of C5 xylan based sugars from biomass. The improved method involves a series of soakings and washings of the biomass as opposed to conducting one soaking and washing step.
D21B 1/02 - Pretreatment of the raw materials by physical or chemical means
D21B 1/12 - Fibrous raw materials or their mechanical treatment by dividing raw materials into small particles, e.g. fibres by wet methods by the use of steam
D21B 1/36 - Explosive disintegration by sudden pressure reduction
D21C 1/02 - Pretreatment of the finely-divided materials before digesting with water or steam
52.
PRE-TREATED BIOMASS HAVING ENHANCED ENZYME ACCESSIBILITY
This invention is to a biomass composition of 5 and 6 carbon sugars, lignin, and cellulose which has been steam exploded and the composition has a very high enzyme accessibility at 24 hours for hydrolysis.
A process for purifying an aqueous solution containing sugars, formed as main or side- streams during physical, physico-chemical or chemical pre-treatmet of lignocellulosic material, wherein the process comprises the steps of mixing a precipitating agent such as barium hydroxide or calcium hydroxide to form a precipitate and separating some of the precipitate from the aqueous solution in order to remove toxic hydrolysis by-products such as furfural, HMF, furans, phenols, acetic acid, formic acid, etc.
It is disclosed a process for removing at least a portion of the furfural and acetic acid in a first stream comprised of water, at least one compound selected from the group consisting of furfural and acetic acid, C5's and C6's. Such process comprises the steps of contacting the stream with an adsorption media which has been previously contacted with a second stream comprised of the same components and the adsorption media has been regenerated by exposing it to conditions, without being in contact with the second stream, such that at least 70% of the adsorbed furfural and acetic acid have each been desorbed and at least 60% of the C5's and C6's remain adsorbed on the media.
B01D 15/20 - Selective adsorption, e.g. chromatography characterised by constructional or operational features relating to the conditioning of the sorbent material
This specification describes a process to separate lignin from an aqueous mixture derived from a biomass feedstock, wherein the separation is done at or above critical temperature, usually above 60°C.
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